Will Klitschko-Gomez Prove To Be A Bracket Buster?

[Ryn0]

Right there I stopped reading.....

Some people on here have a real hard time interpreting fact from perception.

I do NOT find Wladimir to be boring. He is a little cautious when he is clearly the better fighter, but there are reasons for that. If you had watched his fights prior to the Sanders loss, you will understand that he was an offensive beast and was nowhere close to boring. After taking a few thumps that he wasn't supposed to take, he regrouped and changed his game so that he insures a victory and so far, that's exactly what he has done. Only great fighters have the ability to adapt as Wladimir has. He's on a 10-0 run and 8 of those were or at some point became top 10 threats.

Do you want to give the fans what they want and lose or do you be smart and win? That's the question you have to ask yourself if you were in the very unique position that Wladimir is in. The heavyweight title can make and break a man with ease and it's a very small space between the ropes in heavyweight boxing. There is over 100 years of tradition to honor.

-Chase.

It is a statement of fact, you may not find him boring. You may prefer his jabbing, clinching style. I don't have a preference, I can watch it but I would much rather prefer to watch Marquez etc.

BUT to the average joe wanting some thrills in boxing he would NOT choose Wlad, which is why he won't be popular in America, because he's not exciting to the average person and there isn't enough of a cultural base.

He will be accepted as HW champ if he unifys because he has all the belts but he's boring to the average person which will always be a barrier to superstardom in the US.

[Ryn0]

Right there I stopped reading.....

Some people on here have a real hard time interpreting fact from perception.

I do NOT find Wladimir to be boring. He is a little cautious when he is clearly the better fighter, but there are reasons for that. If you had watched his fights prior to the Sanders loss, you will understand that he was an offensive beast and was nowhere close to boring. After taking a few thumps that he wasn't supposed to take, he regrouped and changed his game so that he insures a victory and so far, that's exactly what he has done. Only great fighters have the ability to adapt as Wladimir has. He's on a 10-0 run and 8 of those were or at some point became top 10 threats.

Do you want to give the fans what they want and lose or do you be smart and win? That's the question you have to ask yourself if you were in the very unique position that Wladimir is in. The heavyweight title can make and break a man with ease and it's a very small space between the ropes in heavyweight boxing. There is over 100 years of tradition to honor.

-Chase.

Vitali on the other hand if marketed properly has the perfect style to be a superstar in the US, with some exposure and big KO's

He is exciting to the average fan and is willing to take some to give some.

[Ravens Fan]

I don't understand how a fighter who leaves most of his opponents flat on their backs or face can be considered boring? In my opinion watching Wlad fight is like watching a great pitchers dual in baseball. Wlad is like a technical pitcher that can overpower you at anytime. And other then his fight with Ibraginov I have enjoyed watching him fight. He is a very good technical fighter that sets up his opponent for the kill and sometimes he gets killed. I personally find that aspect exciting. As far as his competition I just have to ask who was he was supposed to fight? A large percentage of his opponents have been rated in the top ten and he can't be blamed if that they cannot compete with him. In all fairness Wlad also has had his share of tomato cans. But there are not many fighters that have had as many title fights as he has had that do not have a few on their own record. And sure Wlad had three questionable loses but Lewis also had a couple of them and so did Tyson, Holmes and even the greatest himself Ali. I mean come on Ali Lost to a fighter with seven pro bouts. Someone also mentioned that Holmes was a very popular fighter. I am old enough to remember the career of Larry Holmes. And even though Holmes beat Ali he had the misfortune to follow right behind Ali's career. And I honestly don't remember Holmes being all that popular and I believe it was partly because Holmes was never quite able to get out of the shadow of Ali.

[Mr. Philadel]

If Vitali and Wlad were American......they would probably get more respect than what peeps are givin' them......if they were "black" they wouldn't be in certain dudes avi's........if they were American.......the ATG list would have their names engraved on it........if they were "black" they wouldn't be adored or admired by MOST of their NSB admirers!

[paul750]

I'm sorry, but there's no way they would be on the majority of people's all-time great lists regardless of what colour or nationality they were. Beating the likes of Danny Williams and Ray Austin doesn't prove very much.

[Ravens Fan]

I'm sorry, but there's no way they would be on the majority of people's all-time great lists regardless of what colour or nationality they were. Beating the likes of Danny Williams and Ray Austin doesn't prove very much.

Wlad has fought in fifteen heavyweight title fights and your going to base your assessment of his career on one fight with Ray Austin? With that said. Austin is still rated at twenty one by Boxrec and Wlad fought him more then two years ago after Ray fought to a draw with then world rated Ibraginov. I am not positive but I would bet that means that Austin was rated even higher when they fought. And as I stated earlier any fighter you look at that has had numerous title fights has their own fair share of tomato cans. The question is was Ray one of them when they fought?

[The Hammer]

I'm sorry, but there's no way they would be on the majority of people's all-time great lists regardless of what colour or nationality they were. Beating the likes of Danny Williams and Ray Austin doesn't prove very much.

I doubt if your man Gomez would have the courage to withstand the kind of punishment Danny Williams took from a younger version of Vitali in that fight.

I hope Vitali stops Gomez earlier than he did Williams, that will quiet your negative comments for awhile.

[PBDS]

I dissagree. Ali, Holmes and Lennox Lewis were technical and very methodical. They also happened to be from african descent though. I don't know if their popularity had to do with that, but one thing is for sure, they weren't sheer brutes that went into the ring mindless and only attempted to destroy their opponent with no plan B. Tyson did that and gained allot of respect, but he was also popular because he was a menace outside of the ring and brought allot of drama. The only reason the Klitschko's don't garner the respect they deserve is because they are not American and they are respectful outside the ring. If they would crank up the arrogance , claim they would 'whip' anybody and go in an American ring to handle business, the public would respect them. But this is not who the Klitschko's are. They are dedicated and educated family men . They are respectful to their opponents and are realistic. Unfortunately in this sport, at this time, this attitude is frowned on. It is what it is and it will not simply go away. The Klitschko's will just need to keep knocking guys out like Lennox Lewis did and eventually they will be respected worldwide. You don't have to be a fan to respect a guys dominance. It will come eventually, like it did for Lennox.

...Quality quality post right here.

[vitali1999]

Brackett

Its true that the Klitschko brothers are not heavily watched or regarded because of thier color, it doesnt matter that thier not american. Any african american i talk to says thier are no good heavywieghts out thier, but only after the brothers are montioned. They are entertaining to watch, they knock people out not decision them. I guess the only was to satisfy them if if the Klitschko's knock them all out in the first round, but even then, they would say, thier all bums. I love what the Klitschko's have done for the sport. I love the fact that african american comedians cannot use this in there skit anymore, Black people are the best in boxing, and all sports. Not boxing, not anymore, and not for several years now.

[The Hammer]

Its true that the Klitschko brothers are not heavily watched or regarded because of thier color, it doesnt matter that thier not american. Any african american i talk to says thier are no good heavywieghts out thier, but only after the brothers are montioned. They are entertaining to watch, they knock people out not decision them. I guess the only was to satisfy them if if the Klitschko's knock them all out in the first round, but even then, they would say, thier all bums. I love what the Klitschko's have done for the sport. I love the fact that african american comedians cannot use this in there skit anymore, Black people are the best in boxing, and all sports. Not boxing, not anymore, and not for several years now.

You are 100% correct.